Share This Story!

USC President: Year of Constitution Classes Not Needed

University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides is asking lawmakers to help tweak requirements that university students spend one year learning about the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers.

USC President: Year of Constitution Classes Not Needed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides is asking lawmakers to help tweak requirements that university students spend one year learning about the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers.

The requirement has become an issue in the race for student body president. Two state lawmakers wrote Pastides last week to ask his position.

Pastides says 60 percent of university students take at least one class that deals with the historical documents. He says requiring a year of lessons would stall graduation for students and force them to pay more in tuition and costs.

Clemson and the College of Charleston don't require the courses, while Winthrop and Coastal Carolina require three credit hours.

The story was first reported by the USC's student newspaper, The Daily Gamecock.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)